Hampers are well known for providing luxury, but why is this?
Anyone can fill a basket with a few assorted food items and call it a
hamper, so where does the association with luxury come from? The answer
lies in the history of hamper production as well as how our modern
attitudes towards food have changed.
History of Hampers
Hampers have a long history, but they became most popular during the Victorian era when employers presented them to employees at Christmas as a gift for them to enjoy with their families over the Christmas period. This era also saw the rise of the railroad and people were able to send hampers to their loved ones in the new emerging big cities.
Wicker Basket
Originally, all food hampers were packaged in wicker baskets which had two purposes. Firstly, the wicker was woven and so did not stifle the food and gave it room to breathe, thus keeping it fresher for longer. Woven wicker also creates a sturdy structure, meaning that the baskets were hardwearing and able to hold the weight of assorted food and drink items.
The baskets were lined with cloth which the recipients used
to find uses for, as well as the basket structure itself. This would
have been considered a luxurious gift by poor Victorian families due to
cloth being relatively expensive in those days. Similarly, hampers today
are generally lined with luxurious materials such as suede or velvet,
continuing the association with luxury.
Modern hampers are often styled on the traditional woven wicker style, but other materials are available too. Wooden hampers are popular, as are wicker hampers of differing colours. Ultimately, the principles of the hamper are the same, but the aesthetics have changed with the times and more options become available whilst still maintaining the air of luxury.
Contents
Hampers traditionally were made up of food and drink items, and whilst some modern companies offer alternative hampers containing items such as toys, generally they are still made up primary of these items.
Wines
Wine itself is a luxury item and is a common inclusion in most modern hampers. When trade links and modes of transport improved, more exotic produce from foreign countries was imported into the country. This opened the door for exotic quality wines to be included in hampers from famous wine-making countries such as France and Italy.
Enjoying a glass of fine wine is a luxurious indulgence for most people, therefore including good wines in hampers adds to the opulence of them.
Food
Historically, luxury food hampers would have been made up with food from abroad. This is because when international trade became commonplace, foreign food was a rare delicacy and the height of luxury. However, nowadays this is not necessarily the case.
Often, foods are imported to keep the costs at a minimum as it costs less to buy and ship them from abroad than it does to manufacture them in the UK. This has led to many cheap foods being imported from abroad, and quality foods being created in the UK. Therefore, luxury food hampers are often filled with local British produce which is naturally of a good quality.
Luxury hampers ooze opulence on the inside and the out. The plush materials used to make and line the baskets, teamed with excellent quality food and wine inside them makes them an excellent gift for anyone. Presenting a friend or relative with a luxury Christmas hamper is a great way to make them happy this festive season.
History of Hampers
Hampers have a long history, but they became most popular during the Victorian era when employers presented them to employees at Christmas as a gift for them to enjoy with their families over the Christmas period. This era also saw the rise of the railroad and people were able to send hampers to their loved ones in the new emerging big cities.
Wicker Basket
Originally, all food hampers were packaged in wicker baskets which had two purposes. Firstly, the wicker was woven and so did not stifle the food and gave it room to breathe, thus keeping it fresher for longer. Woven wicker also creates a sturdy structure, meaning that the baskets were hardwearing and able to hold the weight of assorted food and drink items.
The baskets were lined with cloth which the recipients used
to find uses for, as well as the basket structure itself. This would
have been considered a luxurious gift by poor Victorian families due to
cloth being relatively expensive in those days. Similarly, hampers today
are generally lined with luxurious materials such as suede or velvet,
continuing the association with luxury.Modern hampers are often styled on the traditional woven wicker style, but other materials are available too. Wooden hampers are popular, as are wicker hampers of differing colours. Ultimately, the principles of the hamper are the same, but the aesthetics have changed with the times and more options become available whilst still maintaining the air of luxury.
Contents
Hampers traditionally were made up of food and drink items, and whilst some modern companies offer alternative hampers containing items such as toys, generally they are still made up primary of these items.
Wines
Wine itself is a luxury item and is a common inclusion in most modern hampers. When trade links and modes of transport improved, more exotic produce from foreign countries was imported into the country. This opened the door for exotic quality wines to be included in hampers from famous wine-making countries such as France and Italy.
Enjoying a glass of fine wine is a luxurious indulgence for most people, therefore including good wines in hampers adds to the opulence of them.
Food
Historically, luxury food hampers would have been made up with food from abroad. This is because when international trade became commonplace, foreign food was a rare delicacy and the height of luxury. However, nowadays this is not necessarily the case.
Often, foods are imported to keep the costs at a minimum as it costs less to buy and ship them from abroad than it does to manufacture them in the UK. This has led to many cheap foods being imported from abroad, and quality foods being created in the UK. Therefore, luxury food hampers are often filled with local British produce which is naturally of a good quality.
Luxury hampers ooze opulence on the inside and the out. The plush materials used to make and line the baskets, teamed with excellent quality food and wine inside them makes them an excellent gift for anyone. Presenting a friend or relative with a luxury Christmas hamper is a great way to make them happy this festive season.
Ripley Hampers stock a wide range of fine food and wine hampers which can be delivered to your door. If you are looking for a luxury food hamper to give to a loved one this Christmas, then look no further.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gemma_L_Benton
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